Kiteboarding Instructional Program

The following tables are a detailed explanation of our kiteboard instructional program and the of the different skill levels that can be achieved by students during their learning process.

IKO Kiteboarding Level 1 Setting-up - Piloting - Safety - Managing of the practice area - Spot analysis A Equipment carrying & setup (inflate bladders, untangle bridles, and connect leading and flying lines). Determine wind direction. Know how the safety systems work. The kiteboarder knows that the kite leash must always be connected before launching and until after landing. Piloting at the top of the window with short & long lines underpowered. Piloting a kite from right to left on the edge of the window. Incident simulation 1. Using of the safety systems (dropping bar). B Launching & landing at the edge of the window with an assistant. Piloting in the power zone under powered Untwisting the lines by twirling the control bar without releasing it (the kiteboarder turns upon himself, bar in his hands above his head) C Independent in conducting a thorough pre- flight check Know the wind window key words (top, edge or neutral zone, clock wise 9, 12, 3 o'clock, power area) D Landing the kite alone and walking to the kite Piloting in the power zone E Managing to reduce the power using the power loop. Kiteboarder knows how the power loop release system works and when to use it. Use of quick release on harness line or across the leader lines to stop the kite power in case of emergency Piloting with one hand On-shore self launch Relaunching the kite from the water Winding the lines in the water, and come back to the shore using the kite to be dragged Awareness of the wind effects and their dangers (cliffs, mountains, hills, dikes, trees…). IKO Kiteboarding Level 2 Water start - Managing the kite's power - Edging F Incident simulation - Using of the power loop release system. G Body dragging using body positioning and piloting of the kite to move in wanted direction (once to the left, then to the right) Awareness of positioning in space (starting point, arrival point) Piloting one hand while body dragging & piloting in waiting position legs down to the wind. 4 line kite big size relaunch (Pulling on front line then back and front on one side). H Board recovering and positioning of the feet into foot straps Generating steady pull in starting position on the board. I Water start Tying the board leash alone First ride. IKO Kiteboarding Level 3 Riding powered - Going Up-wind - Switch of Direction - First Jump J Priority rule 1: Two riders going in front of each other, the rider starboard has the priority he pilots his kite up. Port rider (kite on his left side) goes down to the other rider and drops his kite. Priority rule 2: Incoming kiter gives way to outgoing kiter Flying the kite to generate steady pull once standing on the board. Navigation with power. K Change of direction up and down to the wind (edging up and down). Speed control, sheeting in or out Power trim adjustment. Holding an edge with the board. Choosing the right kite size. Methods of flying to de-power the kite (theoretical course about edge control). L Up wind riding (edging up while moving the kite down to slow down, edging down and moving kite up to increase the speed) Knowledge about where to focus to keep the right course… Up wind body dragging to recover board without leash M Riding a twin-tip or a wake board Switch of direction or Jibe with a directional board N First jump (piloting the kite from one side to 12 o'clock).

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